Picture this: a fantastic party atmosphere, great music, people showing off their moves and having a laugh. Where the bloody hell are you?

I’m guessing there are many people who really want to get into dance, but just don’t know where to start. Most of the dance-based TV programs make dance seem inaccessible, as though it’s only for those who’ve danced out of the womb. A myriad dance styles, tens of local dance schools all vying for your attention and no-one to go with. Boo hoo. Snap out of the blues and get into the grooves!

The message that uBERgroover.tv delivers is: dance is for everyone, dance is easy and dance is so much fun that when you start, you wonder how you ever did without it. It becomes your social outlet, your exercise, your fun, your connection with others and best of all your connection with yourself. Look at it as an adventure.

I’ve had my fair share of frustration in choreographed dance classes. When the dance instructor first shows you what moves you’re about to learn, your immediate reaction is: “Pffft, yeah right”. Before you have a chance to rebel, the music is on, the class is moving and you get carried into the dance. What seems difficult to begin with becomes enjoyable as you get it. Your moves turn into grooves and although you may not be nailing the routine, you know what move you’ll be practicing at the next party.

I remember finding the “body roll” incredibly challenging – I just couldn’t get it and I wanted to…BADLY! So when I was at my next party, I planted my body against the wall and practiced the isolations that are critical in making this move a success. Now it’s my favourite uBERmove.

Dance is not about remembering routines. Your mind and body work perfectly together to register moves that you enjoy and you will start to incorporate these moves into your regular nights out. Plus, there is evidence to suggest that we learn a lot during our sleep, so trust that you will be processing the moves while you sleep, work or do something completely unrelated until it clicks and BAM: you’ve got a move ready to unveil at the next dance-party or indeed dance-off!

FIVE TIPS FOR DANCE-STARTERS

(1) Practice at home. Put your favourite music on and groove when you’re doing every day actions. Do you think I’m just sitting here and typing? No! I’m doing it with groove. Hang on, I’ve just perfected the side-to-side body roll! Clean up with loud music and groove, dance with your clothes when hanging them up. Play around, move, get those juices flowing.

(2) Take your home grooves out for a test drive. These are a great ice-breaker. Combine them with classic moves such as the “sprinkler”, do them until you stop caring what everyone else thinks of you and then break into your own rhythm.

(3) Join a dance class. You might find that a bit of structure is exactly what you need. If choreography is not your bag, join a class that focuses on the ecstasy one feels through movement and music. Kundalini dance is a great example of this (see Webisode 5), as are any of the dances that fall under the banner of “Ecstatic Dance”. Start with a no-commitment casual class and see where it takes you!

(4) Drag a friend along to a class or to a dance event. Dancing is a lot more fun when you can laugh with each other.

(5) Watch uBERgroover.tv webisodes every week to get some inspiration.

That should be enough to get you experiencing the natural ecstasy that is dance. Do it. Don’t think, just dance your way to ecstasy!